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Health services available in Nepal
Health services Number
Hospitals (private and community) 403

Primary health centre 208
Health post 3,808
Sub health post 3,176
Ayurbedic dispenseries 305
Doctors 16,854
Nurses 33,293

Helath Assistant / S.A.H.W 7,175
Kabiraj / Baidyas 741
Source: CBS 2015
The above table clearly shows that the available health services are insufficient for the
total population in the country. These health services are not properly managed and
distributed in the rural areas. Due to lack of even the basic health services in the rural
areas, many people die even due to minor diseases. So, lack of health services is considered
as a major health problem in Nepal.

i. Unhealthy lifestyle
Unhealthy lifestyle is also a major cause of health problem. Intake of the diet rich in
carbohydrates, fried food, junk food, drinking alcohol, chewing tobacco and tobacco
products, playing cards, making multiple sexual partners, etc. are some examples of
unhealthy diet unhealthy lifestyle. The intake of these diets causes different types of health
problems. Many people take fatty and spicy food. They take the diet rich in carbohydrates
but do not engage in physical activities. As a result, they become the victims of diabetes,
heart diseases, etc. The habit of drinking alcohol, chewing tobacco and tobacco products,
etc. make people the victims of cancer. Thus, unhealthy lifestyle is also considered as a
major health problem in Nepal.

9.4 Policies and Programmes of Health Sectors

Health Services Policies
To get health services is also a basic need of people. The constitution of Nepal 2072 B.S.
has also declared that every citizen has the right to get free basic health services. The
health policies were introduced only in the 5 five year plan (1975-80 AD) for the first
th
time in Nepal. The government implemented health policies in 2048 BS for the firs time.
These policies were implemented to make the basic health services available to all people.
The 14th plan 2072/73 – 2074/75 has also included the different health programmes. These
programmes can promote the health conditions when they are implemented effectively.
The plans and programmes of the 13th plan are listed below:
a. To make the distribution of medicines from the health post easily
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